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Washingtonia filifera (California fan palm )
2 hours care
per year
per year
20m
Max height
Max height
6m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Washingtonia filifera
Other names
California fan palm , Desert fan palm , Pritchardia filifera , California washingtonia palm, Petticoat palm, Northern washingtonia, Cotton palm, Washington palm, Washingtonia filamentosa, Livistona filamentosa, Neowashingtonia filamentosa, Brahea filamentosa, Brahea filifera
Genus
Washingtonia Washingtonia
Species
W. filifera - W. filifera is a tender, vigorous, evergreen palm with a stout, columnar trunk topped with sharply-toothed leaf stalks bearing fan-shaped, grey-green leaves divided into linear lobes edged with fine filaments. Panicles of tubular, creamy-white flowers bloom in summer.
Washingtonia filifera is: Evergreen
Habit
Single stemmed palm, cycad or tree, Upright
Toxicity
Though not toxic, sharply-toothed leaf stalks may cause injury.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Cream, White in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Scale insects Glasshouse red spider mite , Scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
No pruning required. Dead leaves form an even 'skirt' around the trunk. Remove spent foliage if desired.
Propagation
Sow seed at 24 degrees Celsius in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Washingtonia filifera (California fan palm ) will reach a height of 20m and a spread of 6m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Containers, Greenhouse, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Protect in winter. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added leaf mould and sand in full light. Water moderately and feed monthly in growth. Keep almost dry in winter.
Soil type
Loamy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, East
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Washingtonia filifera
Other names
California fan palm , Desert fan palm , Pritchardia filifera , California washingtonia palm, Petticoat palm, Northern washingtonia, Cotton palm, Washington palm, Washingtonia filamentosa, Livistona filamentosa, Neowashingtonia filamentosa, Brahea filamentosa, Brahea filifera
Genus
Washingtonia Washingtonia
Species
W. filifera - W. filifera is a tender, vigorous, evergreen palm with a stout, columnar trunk topped with sharply-toothed leaf stalks bearing fan-shaped, grey-green leaves divided into linear lobes edged with fine filaments. Panicles of tubular, creamy-white flowers bloom in summer.
Native to
Southwestern United States
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Single stemmed palm, cycad or tree, Upright
Toxicity
Though not toxic, sharply-toothed leaf stalks may cause injury.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Cream, White in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
No pruning required. Dead leaves form an even 'skirt' around the trunk. Remove spent foliage if desired.
Propagation
Sow seed at 24 degrees Celsius in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Washingtonia filifera (California fan palm ) will reach a height of 20m and a spread of 6m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Containers, Greenhouse, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Protect in winter. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added leaf mould and sand in full light. Water moderately and feed monthly in growth. Keep almost dry in winter.
Soil type
Loamy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, East
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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